The Lord called me into ministry at Big Lake campmeeting in 1974. That was when people really did sing “Kum Ba Ya” around the campfire. It was like heaven on earth. We said as camp ended, “I wish we could just live at camp all year long.” I thought that ministry was always going to be like camp. I was shocked at some of the troubles and people I encountered.
Our text describes a time of civil war in the kingdom of God. It is a terrible thing to read, and seems worse to see in a church, campmeeting or home. We see several different responses to conflict in our text. I would like to compare Joab and David. Joab uses the conflict as a cover for a personal vendetta. He uses a time of trouble to advance his own desires, and appears, for a time, to get away with it.
David is concerned to do right even in the midst of conflict. He sees beyond his personal hurts and even loves his enemies. In the context of tribal family government, David is unable to prosecute Joab for his crime. There may be willful selfish people that you have to work with as well. David was absolute ruler and he couldn’t fix everything. It’s not likely you or I will be able to fix everything either. But David did express public grief and gave as much a rebuke as he could.
There is no trouble in our lives that Satan will not try to use. On the other hand, everything we do can bring glory to God. There is no attack from Satan or his servants that God can’t use for his glory. Our response to injustice will say a lot, not only about us, but about our faith in God to bring ultimate justice. There is an anointing of the Spirit that enables us to have peace in the face of injustice.
Leave room for God’s wrath.
Russell Carle, Dayton, Maine
